A CHARITY left homeless by a major fire has found somewhere it wants to settle down.

But before South Bank Tomorrow can move in to The Settlement, it plans to give the old building a Changing Rooms-style makeover.

And it’s hoped the community can provide the tools to do the job.

South Bank Tomorrow is an umbrella organisation for individuals and groups, and for people seeking jobs.

It was based in the Golden Boy Green community centre, which was ravaged by fire after an arson attack on February 5.

Groups ranging from the Cream craft group to Neighbourhood Watch and Living Sober were left temporarily homeless by the blaze.

South Bank Tomorrow is using the old OAP Association’s Generation Centre for the time being, after taking over running it this month, but with few rooms, no kitchen and no internet access, it’s far from ideal.

Linda Fleetham, project manager of South Bank Tomorrow, says the nearby Settlement building could be an ideal alternative, at least until the Golden Boy centre’s future is decided.

Before they can move in, however, it needs a massive overhaul, and that’s where the community can help.

A former church, the Settlement used to house the Education and Youth Service and is owned by the council.

But, says Linda, it could prove just the job with a bit of TLC lavished on it.

She said: “It has training rooms, a fitted kitchen and lots of things in there we can pick up and build on. There are even internet points.”

Now Linda hopes to tap into the huge groundswell of support the fire prompted from people.

She said: “We’ve had lots of offers of support, people offering furniture and bits and pieces, which has been great, but we need to pull that together and make the building clean and inviting for people.”

She added: “From the day of the fire, we have continued to run as a charity and offer support. We’ve never missed a beat.

“Now we’ve identified a flexible building which could be a permanent feature for us.”

Linda says they “literally lost everything” in the fire, including printers and fax machines.

And for the Settlement revamp, they have a basic wish list, including paint, ceiling tiles, floor covering, lighting, spotlights, plaster, paving slabs, a sink and unit, computer chairs, desks, kitchen worktops, and volunteers to help with the work.

She added: “Anything would be very welcome.”

A Redcar and Cleveland Council spokesman said a decision has yet to be made on the Golden Boy Green centre’s future, but efforts were on-going to “try and find accommodation that suits everyone.”